Original owners reacquire Thai Paradise in Portsmouth

Rachel Forrest

Friday

Mar 9, 2018 at 1:29 PMMar 9, 2018 at 3:35 PM

PORTSMOUTH — The original owners of Thai Paradise at 96 Bridge St. are back.

Tim and Tuk Vajrabul first came to the United States in 1985, traveling from Thailand with their three young children, Pauline, Tommy and Paul. After moving throughout the country finding work to support the family, they moved to New Hampshire in 1991 and in September 1996 then-Mayor Eileen Foley cut the ribbon on their new restaurant.

Back then, wife Tim, who attended culinary school in Bangkok, was the chef, while husband Tuk greeted customers and waited tables. The three kids all helped out.

The family ran Thai Paradise until 2004 when they had to sell and return to Thailand to take care of ailing parents.

“My mom and dad were ill, then passed away, our kids grew up and they now have families,” Tim said. “Then our son Tommy had an accident with a car. We had bad luck but that all passed and we wanted to come back to be near our kids and grandkids. We asked the owners of Thai Paradise if they wanted to sell the business. It was destiny.”

They returned to the Seacoast in 2016 and took over the restaurant this past January. With city approvals in hand, they’ll l have a grand re-opening Friday, March 16. A local Thai friend, Pawn Nitichan, is also a partner and has been helping them with rethinking the decor and an updated menu.

“Everything will be more colorful, brand new.” Tuk said. “It’s still our family, though. Everything has changed here in town, but even after all this time people still remember us and stop us on the street.”

Tim said she’s happy to be back in the kitchen and to bring the Thai food found in regions like Chiang Mai and Bangkok to Portsmouth.

“We’re bringing those flavors, the spices the way the Thais use them,” Tim said. “Not to burn the mouth and with much more flavor. We have mango fried rice and Thai eggplant, grilled lemongrass chicken on the new menu but favorites, too. To be back in the kitchen is so wonderful!”

For more information, call (603) 431-9193 or visit www.facebook.com/thaiparadiseportsmouth.

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